Restaurant signaling device.



J. BEDINI. RESTAURANT SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MA'ILZB Patented J an. 2, 1912.

narran sraras raraN'r cricca.

JEAN BEDINI, E NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIGNoR oE ONE-HALE To FREDERICK E.

rRocToR, JR., or NEW YORK, N. Y.

Loiaesa.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 2, twg.

Application tiled March 2S, v1911. lSerial No. 617,353.

i To all whom 'it may concern."

Be it known that I, J EAN BEDINI, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Restaurant Signaling Device, of which the following is a specification. y l

This invention relates to signals or attention-attracting devices, and more particularly to visual signals'.

lThe object of the invention is to provide a novel, attractive and useful device for use especially on the tables of restaurants and cafs or in the dining rooms of hotels as an improved means for attracting the attention of waiters or announcing the desires of the diners at any 'particular table.

a To this end the invention consists -in a suitable standard or support adapted to stand on orbesecured to the table, and a rod or the like vertically .slidable therein and carrying a dag-like extension, the rod being normally held down by means of a catch with-the flag concealed within a shield or portion of the standard, but projectable upward. to display theflag when the catch is released, as by means of a push-button, to permit a spring to' move the rod.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating. the invention by means of the preferred embodiment thereof: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the devicefstanding on a table,

with' the signal exposed; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation, showing the Hag within the shieldin full lines, and projected upward, in dotted lines; and Fig. 8 isa fragmentary bottom plan.

In these views the numeral 10 indicates a suitable'standard, which may be in the form of a comparatively narrow tube as shown or of other suitable construction. This standard is provided with an enlarged base 11, for affording stable support to the standard. Preferably the base rests loosely on the table. The base, as also the standard, may be formed in a variety of ways and may be adapted to discharge various added functions. For example, the base may be in the form of an ash-tray, as-shown. On the margin ofthe tray may be fixed cigar-rests12 and a match-box receiver 13. Aside from the double utility which is thus given to the base, its'construction as a hollow tray is of structural importance in connection with its ing in the nature of a laterallyprojecting shield 14, as shown. This shield may consist of two flat vertical walls spaced a slightl distance apart and secured to the standard. The walls are preferably united at thieir uter ends, and in the simplest construction the shield is bent from one piece of sheet metal. The shield is preferably fixed-n a cap 20 screwed or otherwfisamunted on th'.4 A toppf the standard. This cap may have a ferred to hereafter@ Inside the standard is mounteda vertically slidable rod o1: the li'ke 16, at or near the 'upper end of which is fixed the laterally screw or other internal projection 30;' reprojecting flag 117. Means are provided for holding the flag .against turning, forl which purpose the rod may have aD slot 31 engaging the projection 30; The ag may. be simply a square, oblong 6r' other shaped piece of sheet metal suitabiy colored. Red makes a good color for attracting attention. This flag is of a size to be received in and concealed by-the shield 14.-

The flag is actuated by means of a spring such as the spiral spring 18 encircling the rod 16 and confined between a collar 19 on the rod and a shoulder at the base of the interior of the standard. @The collar .19

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also serves as a stop to limit the upward I movement pf the rod and the flag, coperating with the apertured cap 20 in whichthe rodslidcs. A rubber ring 32 at rthe upper side of the collar is asuitable embodiment of cushioning means.

`The rod and Hag are normally held in depressed position by means of a suitable catch. A simple and preferred construction is indicated at 21, the same consisting of aslide horizontally movable in guiding open* ings'in thel base and provided with an aperture 22 considerably larger than the rod and receiving thel lower end thereof. iOne` side of this aperture is lprovided with a detent edge 23, which is adapted to engage above an annular shoulder 24 on the lower end part of the rod. A spring 25 coiled about the shank of the catch affords means for holding the same with its detent edge in locking relation to the shoulder on the rod. The catch maybe disengaged by simply pressing on a button 27 provided on the end of the catch outside of the base, in convenf ient position for manipulation. The latching parts are .suitably beveled to enable the lower end of the rod to ride over the catch on its downward movement, to carry the shoulder 24 below the detent ed e 23. To this end the rod may be tapered elow this shoulder.

The whole device is designed with reference to its suitability for use on restaurant tables and the like.

In usethe iag is normally concealed in the shield, but when a diner desires to attract the attention 'of-his waiter he presses the button and the flag flies upward to a distance Where it will be certain to catch.

the eyeof the waiter as soon as the latter looks in that direction. It will be seen that the device is extremely simple and at the same time attractive and Wholly suited for its purposes.y By means of this visual signal, which remains exposed until the waiter comes to the table and depresses it, the diners are saved much vexation from futile attempts to signal the Waiter by gesticulat-ions or other maneuvers. It ,is also a great improvement on bell signals,

It will be obvious that numerous changes, omissions and substitutions may be made in the device without departing from the invention. l v N Having thus described my invention, wha I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: y

A signaling device for use in restaurants and the like comprising, in combination, a hollow standard adapted to be supported in an upright position on a table, a rod slidable vertically in said standard and provided with a longitudinal slot, a vertical signal plate secured inthe upper part of said slot, a projection carried by the standard and entering the slot below said plate to prevent the rod from turning, a shield in which said plate is normally concealed, a

Vspring for elevating the rod and plate, and

a catch for holding` them depressed.

In witness whereof I have signed my name in the presence'of two witnesses.

JEAN BEDINI. j Witnesses:

JOHN D. BRADLEY, MABEL STEWART. 

